9th grader Amanda started her business, Amanda’s Grotto, on Etsy.com, a year ago when she was in 8th grade. Amanda makes beautiful, unique hair accessories, necklaces, and rings. Here is one testimonial Amanda received: “I had no idea you are only 14! You’re so creative and a young entrepreneur… congrats!” She is now also selling her creations to a retail store in Ventura called Sea Things. Visit Amanda’s online shop:

Solimar graduate, Julia McBeth, will be receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology in May from USC, where she has maintained a 4.0 grade point. She has been offered membership into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. And she has been notified that she has won the 2014 Provost Award for the highest GPA of all transfer students in all disciplines at USC! Congratulations, Julia!

Former student, Alec Loorz, 18, received the inaugural Coretta Scott King A.N.G.E.L. Award on January 10, 2013, in Atlanta, Georgia, honoring his work as founder of Kids vs. Global Warming. Alec began his environmental work at age 12. Currently he attends Quest University in British Columbia.

Chandler Frantz, student of Solimar Academy and actor, attending the 65th annual (2012) Cannes Film Festival in support of his new movie, “Moonrise Kingdom” in which he has a co-starring role playing “Gadge”.

Lois Lewis, Winning Fashion Design

The Art Institute of Charleston’s Fashion Club, MODE, held its First Annual Fashion Show and
Silent Auction on Friday, February 25, 2011.